This publication presents a range of education and labour force statistics produced from the 2001 Census of Population and Housing for South Australia (SA). For comparative purposes, it includes 1996 Census data presented on 2001 Census geography.

The tables in this publication provide selected characteristics of the population for Statistical Divisions (SDs), Statistical Subdivisions (SSDs) and Statistical Local Areas (SLAs). The purpose of these tables is to allow a broad comparison of characteristics between geographic areas.

This publication also contains the Basic Community Profile (BCP) for SA. This set of tables is provided to illustrate the wide range of data available from the Census. The BCP consists of 33 tables. This publication contains tables 22 to 33 which focus on education and labour force characteristics. The remainder of the BCP, tables 1 to 21, is published in Census of Population and Housing: Selected Social and Housing Characteristics for Statistical Local Areas, South Australia (cat. no. 2015.4).

The statistics in this publication are presented on the basis of where people were counted on Census Night ('as enumerated' counts).

One of the important features of the Census is that it describes the characteristics of Australia's population for small geographic areas and small population groups. While not available in this publication, data at the smallest geographic level (Collection District) are available in a range of census products. For more information on these products, please refer to the Appendix-Census Products and Services. Concepts and definitions used in this publication are explained in the Glossary and more detailed information is available in the 2001 Census Dictionary (cat. no. 2901.0). The Explanatory Notes in this publication provide a discussion of the scope and coverage of the Census, the different measures of population, and the limitations of census data.

This publication is one of a series of publications which provide data at the SLA level for each state and territory. A similar publication is also available for the whole of Australia, providing data at SSD level. See the Appendix-Census Products and Services for more information.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

LABOUR FORCE

In South Australia (SA), the labour force grew from 661,066 to 687,665 persons aged 15 years and over, an increase of 4.0%, compared with 6.6% for Australia.

EMPLOYED

In 2001, there were 635,325 employed persons of which 397,681 were full-time workers and 221,056 were part-time. This represented an increase of 7.2% (42,818 persons) since 1996 which was the second smallest increase of all states and territories, after Tasmania (0.2%).

Full-time/Part-time

In 2001, there was a fall in the proportion of full-time workers who represented 57.8% of the labour force, down from 58.6% in 1996.

In the period 1996 to 2001, the number of persons employed part-time grew from 193,824 in 1996 to 221,056 in 2001, an increase of 14.0%, compared with 17.6% for Australia. These workers represented 32.1% of the labour force in 2001, compared with 29.3% in 1996.

Among the majority of the SA Statistical Subdivisions (SSDs), both the full-time employment rate and the unemployment rate are lower in 2001 than in 1996. The lower unemployment is associated with increased part-time employment.

The only SSDs to experience an increase in the proportion of full-time workers were Lincoln (to 59.8% in 2001 from 58.0% in 1996), Kangaroo Island (to 53.9% from 52.8%) and Upper South East (to 65.9% from 65.6%). However, the proportion of part-time workers increased in every SSD within SA.

The SSDs which recorded the largest decreases in the proportion of full-time workers since 1996 were West Coast (to 53.3% from 58.7%), Whyalla (to 54.0% from 57.0%) and Far North (to 62.2% from 63.9%). The Off-Shore Areas & Migratory SSD also recorded a decrease (to 42.4% from 64.7%).

In 2001, the highest proportions of full-time workers, as a proportion of persons in the labour force, were recorded in the Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) of Roxby Downs (75.0%) and Le Hunte (71.1%), both outside Adelaide. Within Adelaide, the highest proportions were recorded in Adelaide (62.1%) and Salisbury Bal (61.9%). Unincorp. Western and Unincorp. Lincoln (both 100.0%), and Unincorp. Pirie (75.8%) recorded the highest proportions of full-time workers in SA, but these proportions are based on relatively small populations.

The highest concentrations of part-time workers, as proportions of persons in the labour force, were recorded in the SLAs of Victor Harbour (41.4%) and Alexandrina - Coastal (39.4%). The SLAs of Unincorp. West Coast (47.0%) and Off-Shore Areas & Migratory (42.4%) recorded the highest proportions of part-time workers in SA, but these proportions are based on relatively small populations.

The highest concentrations of part-time workers, as proportions of persons in the labour force, were recorded in the SLAs of Victor Harbour (41.4%) and Alexandrina - Coastal (39.4%). The SLAs of Unincorp. West Coast (47.0%) and Off-Shore Areas & Migratory (42.4%) recorded the highest proportions of part-time workers in SA, but these proportions are based on relatively small populations.

Occupation

In 2001, the largest occupation groups were Professionals (107,132 persons or 16.9%), Intermediate Clerical, Sales and Service Workers (104,832 persons or 16.5%), Tradespersons and Related Workers (78,081 persons or 12.3%), Associate Professionals (73,110 persons or 11.5%), and Labourers and Related Workers (67,440 persons or 10.6%). These proportions are similar to 1996.

Within the Adelaide SLAs, the highest proportions of persons employed as Professionals were recorded in Unley - East (36.1%), Adelaide (36.0%), Norw. P'ham St Ptrs - West and Burnside - South-West (both 35.8%). Outside Adelaide, the highest proportions were registered in Adelaide Hills - North (17.6%) and Barossa - Tanunda (16.9%). Unincorp.Western (50.0%) and Off-Shore Areas & Migratory (17.9%) recorded high proportions, but these are based on relatively small populations.

The highest proportion of persons employed as Tradespersons and Related Workers was recorded in Roxby Downs (23.4%), an SLA outside Adelaide. The next five highest proportions were recorded within Adelaide, namely Salisbury Bal (20.4%), Onkaparinga - North Coast (17.6%), Onkaparinga - Morphett (17.5%), Onkaparinga - South Coast (17.3%) and Onkaparinga - Hackham (17.1%).

High proportions of persons working as Associate Professionals were dispersed throughout the State. Within Adelaide, the highest were recorded in Holdfast Bay - North (14.9%) and Walkerville (14.3%). The SLAs of Peterborough (15.1%), Robe (14.6%), and Coober Pedy (14.3%) recorded the highest proportions of persons working as Associate Professionals outside Adelaide. The Off-Shore Areas & Migratory SLA recorded 14.8%, but again, this is based on a relatively small population.

High proportions of persons employed as Labourers and Related Workers were recorded in the SLAs of Loxton Waikerie - West (28.1%), Renmark Paringa - Paringa (26.2%), Renmark Paringa - Renmark (25.1%) and Wattle Range - East (24.5%), all outside Adelaide. Playford - West Central (24.1%) recorded the highest within Adelaide. Unincorp.Lincoln (33.3%), Unincorp. Riverland (33.2%) and Unincorp.West Coast (26.0%) recorded high proportions of persons employed as Labourers and Related Workers but these are based on relatively small populations.

Industry

In 2001, the four largest industries of employment in SA were Manufacturing (93,428 persons or 14.7%), Retail Trade (92,549 persons or 14.6%), Health and Community Services (72,441 persons or 11.4%) and Property and Business Services (59,374 persons or 9.3%). These industries were also the top four industries in SA in 1996.

Since 1996 there has been an increase in the proportions of persons working in Retail Trade (to 14.6% from 13.3%) and Property and Business Services (to 9.3% from 8.4%), while there was a decline in the proportion of persons working in Wholesale Trade (to 5.0% from 5.7%).

At the SLA level, high proportions of persons employed in Manufacturing were recorded throughout the State. The highest were recorded in Barossa - Tanunda (29.3%), Playford-West Central (28.0%), Barossa - Angaston (27.6%), Wattle Range-East (27.3%), Salisbury-Inner North (27.1%) and Playford-Elizabeth (26.9%). A high proportion was also recorded in Unincorp. Western (33.3%) but this is based on a relatively small population.

The highest proportions of persons employed in Property and Business Services were recorded in the metropolitan SLAs of Burnside - South-West (17.8%), Adelaide (17.7%), Unley - East (17.5%), Norw. P'ham St Ptrs - West (17.0%) and Burnside - North-East (16.8%). The highest outside Adelaide was Mount Barker - Central (9.8%). A high proportion was also recorded in Unincorp. Western (33.3%) but again, this is based on a relatively small population.

UNEMPLOYMENT

The number of unemployed persons decreased by 23.7% to 52,340 in 2001 from 68,559 in 1996. The unemployment rate fell to 7.6% in 2001 from 10.4% in 1996. The unemployment rate was 7.4% for Australia in 2001.

While the number of unemployed persons looking for full-time work fell by 30.7% (to 38,434 in 2001 from 55,497 in 1996), those unemployed persons looking for part-time work increased by 6.5% (to 13,906 in 2001 from 13,062 in 1996).

At the SSD level, the largest declines in the unemployment rates between 1996 and 2001 were recorded in Kangaroo Island (to 7.8% from 13.5%), Fleurieu (to 6.8% from 11.3%), Lincoln (to 6.8% from 11.1%) and Yorke (to 9.5% from 13.6%).

In 2001, SLAs with the highest unemployment rate in Adelaide were Playford - West Central (22.3%), Playford - Elizabeth (21.2%) and Port Adel. Enfield - Port (17.2%). Outside Adelaide, Peterborough (16.2%) and Coober Pedy (16.0%) recorded the highest unemployment rates. The SLA of Unincorp.Whyalla also recorded a high unemployment rate with 22.0%.

For those aged 15-24 years, the unemployment rate fell to 14.8% in 2001 from 18.4% in 1996. This compares with a decline to 13.8% from 15.7% for Australia.The highest youth unemployment rates in Adelaide were recorded in the SLAs of Playford - Elizabeth (34.4%), Playford - West Central (33.4%), Port Adel. Enfield - Port (26.1%) and Onkaparinga - North Coast (23.4%). Outside Adelaide, the highest youth unemployment rates were recorded in Coober Pedy (25.8%) and Peterborough (25.0%). The SLAs of Unincorp. Riverland (50.0%) and Unincorp. Whyalla (37.5%), and Off-Shore Areas & Migratory (38.7%) also held high youth unemployment rates, but these proportions are based on small populations.

NON-SCHOOL QUALIFICATION

Level of Education

In 2001, there were 374,108 persons aged 15 years and over with a qualification, accounting for 31.9% of all persons aged 15 years and over in SA. Between 1996 and 2001 this proportion rose from 27.9% (an increase of 59,120 persons). In Australia, the proportion rose to 34.7% from 30.0%.

Of those with a qualification, 49.5% (185,257 persons) held a Certificate, 25.6% (95,840 persons) held a Bachelor Degree, 17.0% (63,412 persons) held an Advanced Diploma and Diploma, and 7.9% (29,599 persons) held a Postgraduate Degree or Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate as their highest qualification.

High proportions of persons with a Bachelor Degree or higher as their highest level of qualification were recorded in the metropolitan SLAs of Burnside - South-West (29.1%), Norw. P'ham St Ptrs - West (28.8%), Burnside - North-East (28.4%) and Unley - East (27.7%). Outside Adelaide, the highest proportions were recorded in Adelaide Hills - North and Mount Barker Bal (both 12.7%). The Off-Shore Areas & Migratory SLA recorded 13.4%.

High proportions of persons with a Certificate as their highest level of qualification were recorded in both metropolitan and regional SLAs. Outside Adelaide, the highest proportions were recorded in Roxby Downs (28.7%), Whyalla (20.9%) and Adelaide Hills- North (19.9%). Within Adelaide, the highest proportions were in Onkaparinga- Woodcroft (21.1%), Marion - South (20.7%), Tea Tree Gully - Hills (20.6%) and Playford - Hills (20.5%). The SLAs of Unincorp.Western (28.6%), Unincorp. Flinders Ranges (20.3%) and Unincorp. Pirie (19.9%) also recorded high proportions, however, these are based on relatively small populations.

Field of Study

Of all persons aged 15 years and over with a qualification, their highest level qualifications were most commonly held in the fields of Engineering and Related Technologies (100,601 persons or 20.5%), Management and Commerce (64,770 persons or 13.2%), Health (50,934 persons or 10.4%), and Education (38,361 persons or 7.8%). Other, which includes Society and Culture, Creative Arts, Food, Hospitality and Personal Services, and Mixed Programmes (83,096 persons or 16.9%) also recorded a high proportion.